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Curiosity… Courage… and Self-Control

Research has found that curiosity and social anxiety are incompatible. Curiosity opens our attention while anxiety narrows it. Anxiety sufferers have found that increasing curiosity at the right time can help to manage and regulate its constrictive & spiraling nature. It’s taking notice with the intent of seeing & knowing what is happening in our mind/heart & body…

To directly face the underlying fear & uncertainty of anxiety requires courage & bravery. Even when the ‘efforts’ are small yet determined, we begin to develop the necessary confidence to diffuse its often restrictive if not paralyzing effect…

As we practice being aware of the present moment, we are taking control of our attention. When our mind wanders to past problems or to future worries… and we are able to bring our focus back to our breath (or to the present moment), we are regulating our attention away from the cognitive loops that often trigger and exasperate (i.e. “wire & fire”) anxiety patterns.

Learning to relax and self-regulate our mind (attention) takes practice, intent, discipline, and PATIENCE. Regular mindfulness practice is most effective when we are experiencing states of calm & stability. The ‘storms’ may still come, but with skillful training of mind, we can become better equipped to ride them out…